Veteran teacher Patti Wilson was excited at the prospect of South Kitsap's all-day kindergarten pilot program at Olalla Elementary, but she wondered at first if she could keep 5-year-olds engaged for a full school day.

"They have so much more stamina than I thought they would," she said.

After they get into the routine of a school day, they're off and learning and still doing math problems at the end of the day, she said.

South Kitsap School District leaders say this year's pilot is a success, and they plan to open another all-day kindergarten class at Manchester Elementary next year. Manchester was chosen because its staff is prepared to get all-day kindergarten running, it has space available and because of the special-needs program there, SKSD Assistant Superintendent Kurt Wagner said.

Advocates say all-day kindergarten offers children more solid foundations in reading and math and helps them do better in those core subjects in later years. Tuition-based or free programs are available in all other Kitsap districts.

"I just have the time," said Wilson, who has taught kindergarten for more than 20 years. "In a half day, you only have two-and-a-half hours with the kids."

With the extra time, she can better bond with students, go more in-depth in science and math and do a lot more reading.

"I love the time that I have with them," she said.

Both South Kitsap and nondistrict students are eligible to enroll at either school, though transportation is only offered to students in Olalla and Manchester school boundaries.

This year at Olalla, about half came from within the school boundary. Most of the rest came from other parts of South Kitsap and a couple came from the adjacent Peninsula School District, Butler said.

Tuition, at $3,500 per year, pays for the additional instruction. A 50 percent discount is available for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

"We wanted to analyze it from the perspective of making it cost-neutral," Wagner said. "Given the economic times, we felt like we needed to be responsible."

South Kitsap does not receive state funds for all-day kindergarten, though state funds do help support portions of free all-day programs in other area districts.

The district is hoping for a little more than 20 students in each class. If there aren't enough students, one or both of the classes could be canceled.

Olalla Principal Karen Butler isn't too concerned. She has heard from many parents wondering if the program will still be there when their toddlers are ready for kindergarten.